On July 6, 2023, 10-year-old Kendell Parks was fatally shot in Clayton County, Georgia. According to the initial account provided by his mother, 34-year-old Brittany Parks, she was unloading her handgun when it discharged, and the bullet traveled through a wall into the victim's room, striking him. The mother and her boyfriend transported the child to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was a gunshot wound of the right upper extremity and the torso, and the manner of death was ruled homicide. During subsequent interviews, both the mother and her boyfriend gave multiple conflicting accounts of the events leading up to the shooting. Brittany Parks was arrested and charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Cruelty to Children - 2nd Degree, and Reckless Conduct.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The fatality report (GA_23_1744.pdf) states the cause of death was "Gunshot wound of the right upper extremity and the torso." The news article corroborates this, stating the mother "was unloading her handgun when it discharged. The bullet went through the wall into the victim's room, striking the him."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The news article explicitly identifies the shooter as the "victim's mother, 34-year-old Brittany Parks," who shares the same last name as the decedent (Kendell Parks). She was the one who stated she "was unloading her handgun when it discharged" and was subsequently charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Cruelty to Children - 2nd Degree, and Reckless Conduct.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
The news article states that "Brittany Parks and her boyfriend took the child to the hospital" and that "both parties gave multiple accounts of the events leading up to the shooting." The boyfriend was present at the time of the incident and his statements were part of the basis for probable cause: "Probable cause for Parks was developed based on what she and her boyfriend told law enforcement." While the boyfriend was not charged, his presence during the incident and the fact that he gave multiple conflicting accounts suggests some level of involvement in the circumstances surrounding the death, though the exact nature of his involvement is unclear.
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The news article explicitly states: "Parks was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Cruelty to Children -2nd Degree, and Reckless Conduct." The article also notes that "Clayton County Police Officers arrested a woman who accidentally killed her son."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The news article notes that "Initially, she said she was unloading her handgun when it discharged" but that "both parties gave multiple accounts of the events leading up to the shooting." This detail—that the mother and her boyfriend provided inconsistent, shifting narratives about the circumstances—is notable because it suggests the initial account of an accidental discharge may not have been accurate, and the full circumstances of the shooting may remain unclear. Despite the manner of death being classified as homicide by the GBI, the charges filed (Involuntary Manslaughter rather than Murder) indicate prosecutors treated it as a negligent rather than intentional act.
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